Mahoning Valley Parks and Green Spaces Summit

The Healthy Community Partnership Mahoning Valley (the Partnership) invites parks and recreation professionals, community partners, and elected officials to attend the second Mahoning Valley Parks and Green Spaces Summit. The summit is being organized by the Healthy Community Partnership-Mahoning Valley’s Parks and Green Spaces Action Team.

The summit will focus on strengthening relationships between parks and recreation professionals, community partners, and elected officials as well as presenting information about resources to support parks and recreation capital and capacity needs. The event will also provide the opportunity to recognize and celebrate our many beautiful local parks across the Mahoning Valley.

The Mahoning Valley Parks and Green Spaces Summit will take place on Thursday, February 13 from 9:30am-4:00pm at McMahon Hall at the MetroParks Farm. *NOTE the location change. Lunch will be provided and attendance is free. Registration is required. .

The summit will begin with a keynote about “Creating Two Elite Urban Forestry Programs: Bowling Green and Hamilton” presented by Dave Bienemann who is the Municipal Arborist/Utility Forester for the City of Hamilton. Dave Bieneman is an experienced arborist with a demonstrated history working with municipalities on restoring their local tree canopies. There will also be breakout sessions on best practices for public outreach, starting and maintaining local tree commissions, and a panel of successful local neighborhood parks projects. The last session of the day will feature c a resource roundtable with representatives from Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Reimagine Appalachia, and the Youngstown Foundation.

This is the Partnership’s second Mahoning Valley Parks Summit. In October 2022, the Partnership worked with Trumbull County Metroparks to organize the Mahoning Valley Parks Professional Leadership Summit which drew nearly 50 parks professionals, elected officials, and community partners. This year the Partnership’s Parks and Green Spaces team formed a committee of resident leaders, members from the YSU GuinFit Initiative, Youngstown CityScape, and the Mahoning County Land Bank to plan the event.

Anyone who has a professional connection to park or green spaces management and outdoor recreational activities is invited and encouraged to attend. Community partners and elected officials who share a commitment to investing in parks, green spaces, and outdoor recreation opportunities are also valued and encouraged to participate. Individuals should RSVP by February 6 by registering on our landing page, email to rperry@hcpmahoningvalley.com or by phone to 330-743-5555.